Down and Dirty Muslin

Here's my Simplicity (well, not really...see below) fugly muslin I whipped up today for DD#2. It's on my dressform. Our figures are similar in certain areas, however, she's more broader across the upper chest and back. Guess that's what softball pitching will do sometimes :) .

Technically, I self drafted this pattern from the photo/illustration on the cover. I didn't realize at first that the curved midriff band is only attached at the top seam as a flap. It's really not a band. However, I like the way I drafted it better. I don't want the flap sticking out in this area. In addition, I originally had the pleats stitched down 1 1/2" from the seam. Upon closer inspection of the pattern, the pleats should end at the bottom edge of the band. So I seam ripped the pleats right up to the seamline. It looks much better this way and was looking quite odd stitched down.

Here's the muslin right now on the above right.

I wasn't going to fuss with the straps on this muslin and just cut some 1/4" ribbon as pretend straps. The only alteration I had to do was let out the side seams a tad. DD#2 does NOT like things tight. The girl is no fashion diva and lives in sweatpants, sweatshirts, tees, and sports shorts. Jeans are like a dirty 5-letter word to her LOL. She never wears anything snug or tight. So this dress feels...not so good to her. Her comment, "It's snug!" Well, it IS supposed to be a little form fitted from the band up.

I do think halter straps would be more flattering on her though. We're going to experiment with 1" straps simulated with 1" ribbon tomorrow. If that doesn't look quite right, we'll try a halter top change. If the halter style is a better look on her (which I think it might be), I'll just modify the pattern. The halter style is more slimming for her upper body.

On to other news, on Sunday I found out I'm a great aunt, for the first time. How about that! I have to cut out the material for a baby quilt and embroider it. Minky on one side, cotton flannel on the other. It will be so cozy!

In addition, Robin and Laura both posted/emailed me regarding my Sunday Night Question thread about the annoyance of TOO much info. I have to agree with this. Some companies are sparse with info, some go overboard. I know, I know...you can't please everybody. But going back to the Big 4 pattern instructions, that's probably why I generally like them Not too much, not too little, and I change/supplement with info in my sewing library or actual experience.

Looking forward to three sewing packages in the mail. One includes elastic needed for DD#2's flannel, embroidered softball pants, cotton batiste to line some capris I was supposed to make last summer, microfleece for sewing projects for a fundraiser softball dance, boob tape and other sewing/fitting gadgetry for DD#1's prom dress, etc.

Tomorrow I'll post the fab fabrics I purchased at JoAnn's for DD#1's dress, shawl and purse. BTW, can anybody recommend a great shawl/coverup pattern for a fancy semi-formal and prom dress? I'd like to make one for both to wear.

ETA--I apologize in advance for not posting alterations/pattern drafting info. I'm testing out a few concepts by making dresses for daughter, my friends and/or their daughters. Will get back to you all on that.

My Sunday Night Question

I keep reading comments and threads lately about how Big 4 pattern *INSTRUCTIONS* (Simplicity, Butterick, McCall's, and Vogue) are particularly poor. Do you all feel that way? Funny thing is, I don't. Maybe it's because I grew up with these patterns, and I know exactly what to expect from them. And what not to expect.

Yeah, occasionally (actually it's somewhat rare) I'll get a doozy of a pattern with a section that has really horrible instructions. Then I just do "intuitive" sewing. Or pull out one of my many technique books and do it the way a particular author/sewing authority recommends.

But overall, I'm generally happy. I read them over, look at general construction, add in my sewing knowledge, and get the job done. Truthfully, I haven't been reading them much the past few years and doing my own thing instead, but these threads have me going back to the instruction sheets to read over instructions. Trying to see if they're really that poor.

They're vague in some spots and leave off things I know to do, but that's okay. Good sewers read. And read a lot. Our sewing libraries tend to be chock full of all sorts of good books. I mean, a pattern can't include all the little tidbits that are in the books. So basically I think the Big 4 instructions are fine. Not superb, not necessarily perfect, but still fairly good in my book.

What do you all think about this? Am I one of the few that is generally okay with Big 4 instructions sheets?

Patterns, Prom dresses, and Pleater Boards

A few days ago I wrote that post on my concerns with patterns/companies. Geek Sewing responded with a comment:

"Do you think it would have been considered more appropriate if she had actually submitted a pattern review, say, if she had links to an obscene amount of pictures of the condition of the pattern when she had opened it, of the faint, narrow pattern lines, and of the 2-inch dark grey strip right down the middle of all the pattern sheets?"

So it got me to thinking about this. Yes, I do think that would have been appropriate AFTER she had contacted the company. I'm sure Company X would have sent her a new one and the reviewer could have commented on that. This would serve two purposes:

1. Let the public know there could be an issue with the recent printing of this pattern and,
2. Give Company X some good PR about how they're willing to solve the issue (assuming the outcome was a positive one).

It's not about slamming a company. Quite the contrary. It's about preventing disappointment with a highly anticipated pattern, and how the company is willing to solve a problem to keep their customers happy. I guess I wasn't the only one thinking about pattern issues. Ann's post here generated a lot of comments about pattern instructions, and we all have lots of opinions on the subject :) .

I will admit that Company X is not my favorite independent, and that I HAVE purchased a pattern from them. I've very "middle of the road" in my opinion of their patterns. I do feel pricey patterns should spoon-feed me. Not that I need it, but expect it. When you open a Christine Jonson pattern, you'll know what I mean. I ordered one from her (the princess-seamed wrap top) that I have yet to make up and I was really impressed with all the info. Ditto with Textile Studio Patterns. I own several TS patterns, and you can be darned sure I'll order more CJ patterns in the future.

On to other things. I went prom dress shopping with DD#1. What an experience! We went to a small boutique-like store in the Allentown area. The store was all special-occasion dresses only. Believe me, there were some beauties. DD#1 has a figure to die for, so she was trying on all these slinky, form fitted numbers--the kind that I really like too. It came down to two--a green-toned heavily sequined form-fitted dress or a blue form-fitted dress with an empire line and embellished band. She chose the blue. I probably would have chosen the sequin oned. But it's not my $350! I told her I would contribute $50, and she is reponsible for the rest. Consider herself lucky--my mother contributed nothing. I'l probably make her a matching purse along with a shawl or some type of cover up in case it is chilly.

I'll pay for the pre-prom hairdresser appt. so she can experiment with hairstyles, but she is responsible for her prom-day appt., shoes, nails and everything else. She can borrow my wedding jewelry. That will go nicely with her dress. That is if she is interested in the set, but I think she is. She seems to be fretting a bit over the cost. That is good. She has to understand the value (or lack thereof) of a dollar.

One thing I've noticed about prom dresses this year. Lots of pleated skirt portions, pleated bodices, and I HATE that look! It's the tiny pleats that remind me of skirts my mother used to wear back in the '70's. IMO, it looks quite old fashioned and matronly. Both DD#1 and her friend that tagged along felt the same way. Well, not for the same reasons, but they didn't like that pleated look.

Actually, I should rephrase what I just said. I hate the pleated look on prom dresses. The pleats themselves are fine with certain styles of clothing. However, I don't care to wear them because I simply don't like them (it goes back to my mid '70's memories). Does anyone want to dress like their mother? Maybe if my mother dressed like Victoria Beckham LOL. But you know...never say never!

With that in mind, I saw a fantastic post by FBeenz! Check out this post on making a Pleater Board. Isn't that awesome?!?! These are great, detailed instructions. Who knows. Next year if pleats are the must-have, in style look, I'll be wearing them LOL. And using her instructions to make a pleater board. I had to give this a shout-out because she shows in detail how to make such a useful sewing tool.

On the sewing front, DD#2's semi-formal dress is almost all cut out. I hope to get it stitched up tonight after I finish creating DH's website for him. Tomorrow, DD#2 and I are going to JoAnn's to look at material. In addition, today I'm creating a pattern for my friend to make her a dress. I'll see her this afternoon.

Gotta get busy now with my Pick of the Week post. I'm sure you'll agree it's a hot number!